OWEL FUNDRAISING COMPETITION: Last Sunday on October 6th, Lough Owel Trout Preservation Association hosted their open trout fly-fishing competition with all proceeds going towards stocking Owel with quality trout. It was well supported with many anglers from right across Leinster, checking in at Tullaghan and Mullallys before the 11am start. The weigh-in and presentation took place at 6pm at Tullaghan and some lovely Owel trout were caught. I struggled to entice a trout to take my fly but I teamed up with Pauric Martin and he had one nice fish on wet fly. The top four rods on the day were: 4th was Stuart McGrane 1.095kg, 3rd Ken McCarty of Dublin 1.170kg, 2nd Celbridge angler Paul O’Toole with 1.395kg and Top Rod was Mullingar and Ennell competition captain John Tyrrell. John was fishing with angling pal John Dooner and netted a beautiful trout of 2.115kg, now you can convert that into pounds yourself. Anyway, as mentioned, the presentation took place at Tullaghan and L.O.T.P.A. Chairman Brendan Murray thanked all anglers who competed and supported the fundraising competition. Brendan also announced that on the last day of the trout season will be Saturday October 12th and a sweepstake competition will take place on Owel. Fishing is from 10am-6pm with presentation taking place at Tullaghan Shore. Entry fee €10 and all money goes out in the prize fund.
ENNELL ANGLERS: I spent a few hours trolling small lures on Ennel last Saturday before the heavens open with rain. The best colour lures were silver and I hit 6 fish but unfortunately held on to none. Still, it was encouraging as I was just chilling out for a few hours. Some of the top Ennel fly anglers are catching some quality fish on the fly and its early morning that seems to be the best time. Keep this in mind as the season winds down on Saturday 12th October. Ennell anglers also have a sweepstake competition on that day. As with Owel its 10am-6pm and Whitebridge Bay is the HQ for Ennell.
DERRAVARAGH ANGLERS: Also this coming Saturday, 12th October, Derravaragh Angling Club members will hold an end of season trout fly fishing competition. It’s an 11am start with all boats back at Donore Shore for 5pm. Refreshments will be there after in Donore Restaurant and Caravan Park. Last week we featured some lovely Derravaragh trout caught during the Daly/Gibson Cup, so it’s worth checking it out in the next few days.
SAVAGE FERROX FOR KINNEGAD ANGLER: Well-known Kinnegad angler Joe Darby was hitting the headlines once again down in the west Of Ireland. On the last day of the season on Corrib, Joe was out with his pal Kevin Coyne and they netted a huge Ferox trout well into double figures. The lads have had a good trout season and featured in Angling Focus monthly along with young Tyler Coyne, Kevin’s son. The deadly Kinnegad angling duo are gearing up for the coming winter pike season and we are looking forward to hearing about their angling adventures. Kevin sent in some impressive pictures of Lough Ree pike and it’s clear the lads know the angling game in side out.